Bared to You (Crossfire #1) by Sylvia Day

 

 

 

Summary:

 

Our journey began in fire... Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness-beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily... Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds... and desires. The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart...

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 360 pages

Source: NetGalley ARC

Publication Date: April 3rd 2012

 

It took me forever to get an ARC of this one to read and even longer for me to read it. I was really hesitant to read it because I've never read the author before and all the hype kind of made me really nervous to read it in case I didn't like it. Luckily for me I had nothing to worry about because I LOVED this book.

 

I know this book was published in the wake of the series Fifty Shades of Grey (Which I also read and enjoyed a lot) but this one in my opinion was a better read. I mean there are a lot of similarities between Bared to You and Fifty Shades but there are a lot of differences as well.

 

I'm still trying to figure out why I enjoyed this book so much since Gideon is not the kind of man I would ever want to be involved in and I frequently found myself wanting to stab him through my kindle for how he was treating Eva in the novel. I honestly don't really care for him that much but I do enjoy the chemistry between them.

 

I found the story to be intriguing and entirely all consuming I think I read the entire book in just a couple hours spread over two days. I was completely and utterly addicted to the intensity Eva and Gideon had for each other.

 

I think what I enjoyed most about them as a couple was how flawed they are. Both suffer from their own personal demons. Eva was dealing with her own past and was trying to learn more about Gideon but he kept wanting to keep himself blocked off from her as he'd never really had a vanilla relationship like the one he wanted with Eva and kept pulling away. It was getting to the point that I was hoping that Eva would drop him like a hot potato and wash her hands of him for good but in the end I'm glad that she didn't.

 

This book is absolutely not for everyone and that's okay some people are going to like it and some aren't but I think that if you're looking for a book that's in my opinion much more emotionally intense read than Fifty Shade with a lot more spice (even though it's lacking the BDSM qualities of Fifty Shades) this might just be the read for you. Sylvia Day created one of the hottest couples on the book market today and this really shows her talent in creating characters that while they aren't perfect do seem to go together quite well. I know I was impressed with this book and when I read it I couldn't wait to read to find out what happened next between this pair. I highly recommend this title as well as this author who after only two books has gotten a fan for life.

 

 

* I received a free copy of this book from the published via NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and I was not compensated in any way.

 

Loved It!
★ ★ ★★★

 

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To purchase the book via Chapters Indigo CLICK HERE

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Wolf Storm by Dee Garretson

 

Summary:

 

This is Stefan's big break. He's on location in the mountains far from home for his first movie role, filming a blockbuster sci-fi adventure. The props, the spaceships, and the trained wolves on set should add up to a dream job, but acting turns out to be much tougher than he ever imagined, and he feels like his inner loser is all that's showing through. From the way his famously stuck-up co-star, Raine, treats him, he's pretty sure she thinks so too. And worst of all, no one will believe his claim that there are wild wolves haunting the forest around the set.

When a blizzard strikes, isolating the young co-stars and bringing hungry feral wolves into the open, Stefan must take on his biggest role yet--working together with his co-stars to survive. With no second takes, they only have one chance to get it right.

Lights,
Camera,
Action

Dee Garretson takes suspense and danger to new heights with her thrilling tale of friendship and survival against all odds.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 288 pages (Hardcover)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: August 30th 2011 by HarperCollins         

 

Wolf Storm was everything I expected it to be and better. I wasn't really sure how much I would like it when I first borrowed it from the library but, I did know for a fact that it would be a book that I liked.

 

I've always enjoyed a good survivalist novel especially when they're YA or upper middle grade novels and of course the occasional middle grade novel as well. This one though really did impress me though. I was very surprised by how well thought out the story line was.

 

The main character Stephan is regular kid who just happens to land a major role in a movie, much to his amazement I might add. He's awkward, uncertain and completely out of his element in the woods  of Slovakia in the midst of seasoned co-stars. For me it was his uncertainty that made him a memorable character.

 

I'm not sure if it's just me or if it's the books I choose but a lot of the time when I read a YA book with a male main character they tend to be really cocky, rude and self centered no matter what age they are so for me Stephan's uncertainty and awkwardness was refreshing, I loved that he tried to bring people together when disaster struck and he was left alone with two other kids plus an older man in a hotel during a blizzard. It seemed as though he were a pillar of strength for the other characters in the book.

 

This book was on the lighter side of a survivalist novel because it's for middle grade readers who are on the cusp of YA. The parts where the survivors of the blizzard and the avalanche have to survive being hunted by the wild wolves of Slovakia on a mountain ironically called Wolf Mountain was great. The action was wonderful and even though it was on the lighter side it was intense enough to keep me interested because of how likable Stephan was as well as his resolute determination to keep everyone alive and well even at the risk of his own health and more often than not his own life.

 

I thought this was an extremely well written book perfect for anyone to read regardless of their age because of the action and the sense of adventure the book offers. My only complaint with the book was that the ending was rather abrupt and I wish it had been longer. I highly recommend this book to fans of the genre. I for one can't wait to read the author's other book as soon as I can.

 

Really Liked It!
★ ★ ★★

 

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Waiting on Wednesday #32

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and is where we can talk about books we are looking forward to being released!

 

Here are my picks for the week:

 

Summary:

 

The only thing worse than forgetting her past... is remembering it.

When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find survivors. Which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating among the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe.

Even more strange is that her body is miraculously unharmed and she has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories period. No one knows how she survived. No one knows why she wasn’t on the passenger manifest. And no one can explain why her DNA and fingerprints can’t be found in a single database in the world.

Crippled by a world she doesn’t know, plagued by abilities she doesn’t understand, and haunted by a looming threat she can’t remember, Seraphina struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is. But with every clue only comes more questions. And she’s running out of time to answer them.

Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her from before the crash. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?

From popular young adult author, Jessica Brody comes a mesmerizing and suspenseful new series, set in a world where science knows no boundaries, memories are manipulated, and true love can never be forgotten.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 320 pages

Expected Publication Date: March 5th 2013 by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux (BYR)          

 

Why I'm Waiting:

 

The cover for this book really caught my eye and I love how the blurriness reflects the fact that Seraphina has no memories of her life before the plane crash. Also, the fact that she's unknown to the world really intrigues me!

 

 

Summary:

 

When Philip Walker appears as a new student in Michele Windsor's high school class, she is floored. He is the love she thought she lost forever when they said goodbye during her time travels last century. Overjoyed that they can resume the relationship they had a lifetime ago, Michele eagerly approaches him and discovers the unthinkable: he doesn't remember her. In fact, he doesn't seem to remember anything about the Philip Walker of 1910.

Michele then finds her father's journals, which tell stories of his time-traveling past. As she digs deeper, she learns about his entanglement with a mysterious and powerful organization called the Time Society and his dealings with a vengeful Windsor ancestor. Michele soon finds herself at the center of a rift over 120 years in the making, one whose resolution will have life-or-death consequences.

Alexandra Monir's Timekeeper combines breathtaking romance with a tale of complex magic in a sequel that will have every reader believing in the transcendent power of love.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 288 pages

Expected Publication Date: January 8th 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers         

 

Why I'm Waiting:

 

I read the first book in this series Timeless (Timeless #1) by Alexandra Monir back in November 2011 and I loved it so much I read it in something like 3 hours. I can't wait to see what happens between Michele and Philip in this second book by Alexandra Monir.

 

Now, what are YOU waiting for this Wednesday?

 

 

It's Monday! What are you reading? #33

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted byBook Journey and is a great way for others to find out what you are planning to read this week and, best of all, see what others are reading.

 In the last 2 weeks' I've read:

 

Felice's Worlds by Henry Massie

Reflected in You (Crossfire, #3) by Sylvia Day

Reliquary (Pendergast #2) by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Willow Pond by Carol Tibaldi

The Color of Earth (Color Trilogy #1) by Kim Dong Hwa

Phoenix (Phoenix Elite #1) by Melissa Starr

Legend (Event Group Adventure #2) by David Lynn Golemon

Embrace (The Violet Eden Chapters #1) by Jessica Shirvington

Juliet Immortal (Juliet Immortal #1) by Stacy Jay

 

 

Currently Reading:

 

    

 

Up Next:

 

   

 

What are YOU reading this week?

*[Blog Tour Excerpt & Promo Spot] Toxic Relationship by Richard Hacker

 

Summary:

 

Nick Sibelius moved to the small Texas town of Pflugerville, turned Austin suburb, to set up a private investigation business, find some peace and maybe, himself, after a murdered partner, a cheating wife and a lost job in Houston. When a couple disappears and a bass fisherman turns up dead, he finds himself drawn into a web of toxic relationships: MaryLou, a beautiful woman with a mysterious past, Junior, a failed farmer whose best intentions seem to always result in a dead body, and Barry, a sociopathic dentist turned illegal toxic waste entrepreneur with visions of grandeur.

When the felon who killed his partner in Houston joins forces with Barry, Nick must not only stop the toxic waste dumping while finding his client’s missing daughter, but keep from being killed in the process. In the end, MaryLou’s dark secret will either help him or kill him—whichever comes first.

“Tight suspense with wonderful laugh out loud moments. Richard Hacker is a master storyteller."  

Pam Binder, Pacific Northwest Writers Association President and author of the NY Times Best Selling anthology, A Season in the Highlands

"Many times I found myself getting strange looks because I was laughing out loud...Highly entertaining and sure to be enjoyed by fans of mysteries with humor. I highly recommend it and hope that there will be more stories to follow."   Paige Lovitt for Reader Views

Summary & Photo provided by Reading Addiction Blog Tours

Length: 273 pages

Genre: Suspense/Mystery

Publication Date: August 6th 2012 by Champagne Books     

    

Excerpt:

 

Nick’s pulse quickened at the distinctive two part sound of a 12 gauge shell being chambered. He threw his car in reverse, the big V-8 roaring, tires eating into the dirt track, a cloud of dust enveloping him, as he put the truck between himself and the shotgun. A blast, shattering the passenger side glass, sprayed across his seat, but Nick had already opened his door, rolling out onto the ground. He made his way to the back tire, listening for Junior Pendleton’s position. Junior made it easy.

“Get the hell off my property, goddammit. You got no right to be here.”

Crouching, Nick used the rear of his truck for cover. Junior had walked up to Nick’s pick up, sticking his head through the shot out window. Nick rushed him from behind, slamming him hard into the truck, the shotgun firing into the ground by Junior’s feet.

Junior screamed, “Sonofabitch. My damn foot. Son-of-a-bitch.”

Nick kept Junior jammed into the window, ripping the gun away from the farmer’s hand. As Junior continued to struggle, cursing, Nick noticed several pellet holes clearly visible in the man’s worn cowboy boots.

“I don’t think that’s how you want to start this conversation, Junior.”

Author Bio:

 

 

 

Richard Hacker’s novel, TOXIC RELATIONSHIP, released August, 2012 by Champagne was a 2011 Writer’s League of Texas (WLT) finalist, where in addition, SHAPER EMERGENCE won best novel in the Science Fiction category.  He is a member of both the Writers’ League of Texas and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.   After living many years in Texas where he worked as a leadership coach, public speaker and management trainer, he moved with his high school sweetheart to Seattle.  While he misses the big skies of Texas, Richard has grown pretty fond of the Pacific Northwest.  Along with his wife, Sidney, they hike, kayak and have adventures on his Vespa scooter.  His writing partner is a springer spaniel named Jazz, who helps with proofreading and ball fetching.  DIRTY WATER, the next novel in the Nick Sibelius series after TOXIC RELATIONSHIP, will be released June, 2013.  He is currently working on the third book in the series, as well as a young adult fantasy entitled INKER WARS: THE FIVE PENS OF JOHANN.

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*[Blog Tour Review] Phoenix (Phoenix Elite #1) by Melissa Starr

 

Summary:

Elora Rae Gannon believes her life is over. On her sixteenth birthday she receives news that she is a mythical monster of hellish proportions and if that's not bad enough, she receives this information in the form of a letter from her dead mother who also informs her that she must become part of an elite secret society of others like herself or die. Sucky birthday, huh? And just when she thinks she's got it all figured out, her new-found family in the Elite forces her to break ties with her human BFF shortly before her BFF just up and vanishes. With her world in utter upheaval, Elora makes the move to a new school- Marlind Prep, with full intentions of finding out exactly what is going on behind the scenes and why her best friend has vanished- all while trying to figure out how to successfully make out with her boyfriend without sucking the very life out of him!
Summary & Photo provided by Virtual Book Tour Cafe
Length: 189 pages
Source: Review Copy
Publication Date: May 27th 2012 by Fire & Ice Imprint of Melange Books LLC         

Finally! A decent example of mixing old world mythology with a healthy dose of modernity! I was beginning to wonder if I would ever find a really great take on the tales of old so I was really happy when I got invited to join the blog tour for Phoenix.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. At only 189 pages the book is rather short but the author managed to make it seem like a much longer novel with the way that she created the story of those who are a Phoenix. There was a lot of depth to the book that I wasn't really expecting but I love when a book surprises me like that.

Plus, the fact that Elora wasn't a stuck up pain in the behind character made the book an easy and enjoyable read. Nothing bothers me more than a book where the main character is unlikeable. Elora is your average teenager, minus the whole being a mythological monster thing that is. She's kind, loyal and is really sweet but she has an inner strength to her that really comes out the more you read the book.

Overall the book was really good. It was fast paced, intriguing and entertaining. The genre mixing is what really did it for me in terms of what I loved most about this book because it was done in a unique way. I can't wait to read the next book in this series and I have a feeling the next one will be even better.

I would recommend this book to all YA fantasy fans especially those who love their YA fantasy novels based on mythology. If this book is any indicator, than this is a must read debut with a bright future.

*I received a free copy in exchange for my free and honest review. I was not compensated in any way and all thoughts and opinions expressed therein are my own.

Really Liked It!
★ ★ ★★

 

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To purchase the book via Fire & Ice CLICK HERE

Author Bio:

Melissa Starr is a small town, country gal from deep in southern Oklahoma. Born in Altus and raised in Frederick, it only seemed right to put down roots there with her own family; a husband, two sons and two daughters. She resides and writes from her home in Frederick where she spends her free time attending her children’s various sporting activities and just enjoying being a mom.

Melissa is also a freelance photographer who enjoys camping and riding ATV’s when the weather permits and snapping a million and one pictures of her family and friends against much protest. *Smiles*

Waiting on Wednesday #31

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine and is where we can talk about books we are looking forward to being released!

Here are my picks for the week:

 

 

 

Summary:

 

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: N/A

Expected Publication Date: October 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers      

 

Why I'm Waiting:

 

I don't know why I wan't to read this book other than the cover is pretty neat. This is outside of the norm for me in terms of YA reading but it sounds good. Too bad I have to wait a year to read it.

 

 

Summary: 

 

A story that starts with a girl and a boy. A girl who loves a boy so much , she'll risk anything for him. And a boy who knows only one thing--- kill anyone who stands in his way.

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 336 pages

Expected Publication Date: January 2nd 2013 by Little, Brown & Co.             

 

Why I'm Waiting:

 

Genetically altered kids? You had me at hello. I love these types of books and I'm so happy I only have to wait a few months for it to come out!

 

Now, what are YOU waiting for this Wednesday?

 

 

 

 

*[Blog Tour Promo Post] November Surprise by Laurel Osterkamp

 

Summary:

 

Twenty years
Six presidential elections
Two brothers
One consuming love affair

For Lucy Jones, the distinction between love and politics is hazy at best. Both can be all-consuming, and either can lead to a heart-breaking loss or an exhilarating win. Whatever the case, if you’re seen as a loser, you probably are one. Lucy first learns this lesson in 1988, when she’s a shy girl, battling a high school bully and rooting for Dukakis. Through the years Lucy will experience stunning victories and agonizing defeats as she makes the choices that define her. Meanwhile, she also struggles to define her relationship with Monty, who comes in and out of her life like the changes in public opinion. Is Monty simply a one-night stand, a kindred spirit, or the love of her life? And by 2008, can he offer her a change to believe in?

Over the course of twenty years and six presidential elections, Lucy grows and adjusts with the times. Filled with snarky political and pop-culture references, November Surprise is about the journey we take to believe in a candidate, in love, and in ourselves.

November Surprise is a companion piece to Campaign Promises, which is free on Amazon. They can be read in either order. Both have a liberal slant.

Summary & Photo provided by Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours

Length: 209 pages

Genre: Chick Lit/Women's Fiction

Publication Date: August 5th 2013 by PMI Books

To Purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

 

 

Author Bio:

 

 

Author Bio Laurel Osterkamp was a comedy writer in Minneapolis before she began writing novels. Her first novel, Following My Toes, has been a Kindle best seller and won the 2008 Indie Excellence Award for Chick Lit. Starring in the Movie of My Life received honors in the 2011 Indie Excellence Awards for Chick Lit, and in the 2011 International Book Awards for Women's Fiction and Young Adult Lit. Both books are indie approved at indiereader.com. She currently teaches high school, and is working on her next book, which is inspired by her recent jury duty.

 

To visit Laurel's Website CLICK HERE

To visit Laurel's Blog CLICK HERE

 

 

Fangs, Fur, & Fey Giveaway Hop {INT}

Welcome to the

Fangs, Fur & Fey Giveaway Hop

October 2nd - 8th

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Reading Lark

 

My Prize is ONE Kindle e-copy of:

 

 

The giveaway is international as long as you can except Kindle e-books as gifts.

The winner has 48 hours to respond or the prize will be given to someone else.

a Rafflecopter giveaway